Other
Common eider
Somateria mollissima
The heaviest UK duck. Males are boldly pied black and white with a pale green nape patch and a long sloping profile running from the forehead straight into the bill; females are warm mottled brown all over, both with the same wedge-shaped head. Dives to feed on mussels and other shellfish, often around shellfish farms, and rafts in large flocks just offshore.
Usually seen at
~0 m (median 0 m)
Size
Large (over 50 cm)
Habitat
Near surface, Sandy bottom
Behaviour
Schooling, On bottom
Where it's seen
Occurrence records around the UK & north-east Atlantic (OBIS). The ringed marker is the PEBL filming site.
Reference photos
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Name Common eider in a clip to add it to your collection.
Spot it in the feed